Just wanted to introduce myself

My name is Josh and new to mb'ing...but loving it so far. I live in Thousand Oaks (Ventura county) area. Bought a Trek Wahoo Gary Fisher 29er earlier this year...really like it. Still got a long ways to go as far as developing technique and getting in shape, but hopefully one day I can join some local mb'ers on some rides!

Welcome! Yes, we will ride together. We do rides in your area fairly often. Another place I strongly suggest if you haven't been there already is Chesebro Cyn in Agoura. Not far from T.O. and a really fun place to ride!

lol didn't realize how bad my stock tires were. I'll check out those Nevs too...but seems like I should upgrade the tires before anything else. Yeah from what I've read...good reviews on the soars and extremely light. Seems like a good all-terrain tire..

The Nev's are great, but I gotta admit those Soar's look pretty sweet. 560g for $22???? Even on sale, Nev's are more than that.

BUT...thin walled tires are prone to failure. Lines would have to be carefully picked with thin walled tires. No thrashing up and over or right through the middle of the jagged stuff w/o serious risk of tire failure.

Go with the Nevegals. If there is a 29er version of the Panaracer Fire XC, that's even better.

BUT...thin walled tires are prone to failure. Lines would have to be carefully picked with thin walled tires. No thrashing up and over or right through the middle of the jagged stuff w/o serious risk of tire failure.

Go with the Nevegals. If there is a 29er version of the Panaracer Fire XC, that's even better.

Isn't the IRD Fire the 29er version of the panaracer fire XC? Price point sells em cheap.

Isn't the IRD Fire the 29er version of the panaracer fire XC? Price point sells em cheap.

Cheseboro is awesome, and so is Sycamore. Guadalasca in particular...

Yes, that's the tire. These are not going to roll (smoothly) as well as the Nevegal, but they will bite extremely well. Plus, you can get them in red side wall, which would look sharp on the red Wahoo.

Yes, that's the tire. These are not going to roll (smoothly) as well as the Nevegal, but they will bite extremely well. Plus, you can get them in red side wall, which would look sharp on the red Wahoo.

Welcome man. It's a great bike...you'll love it. I haven't pushed it hard enough to put the stock tires to their limits...but would rather not learn the hard way.

Where you riding out of?

Anaheim. Mostly riding the fullerton loop to get back into riding shape and its on my way to work. But as soon as i get the new bike I plan to branch out to Santa Monicas and others. Tomorrow Im hiking the grizzly trail in big tujunga and then im busy for a few weeks but Id be up to check out trails up by you in a few weeks.

Anaheim. Mostly riding the fullerton loop to get back into riding shape and its on my way to work. But as soon as i get the new bike I plan to branch out to Santa Monicas and others. Tomorrow Im hiking the grizzly trail in big tujunga and then im busy for a few weeks but Id be up to check out trails up by you in a few weeks.

Anaheim. Mostly riding the fullerton loop to get back into riding shape and its on my way to work. But as soon as i get the new bike I plan to branch out to Santa Monicas and others. Tomorrow Im hiking the grizzly trail in big tujunga and then im busy for a few weeks but Id be up to check out trails up by you in a few weeks.

I actually just moved up here from Anaheim. Lived there almost my entire life. I've never tried the Fullerton loop...but it looks fun (at least the views i got from the golf course).

Hi, welcome to the area from a Moorpark rider. There are some great routes through the Simi hills if you want to connect the Cheeseboro loop to other towns. I've ridden and hiked from Simi to West Hills, and Agoura to Simi. Lots of wildlife too.

As for tires, I had agressive mud tires on my bike when I moved here from the Midwest but quickly realized that they were overkill and offered far too much rolling resistance for the long climbs. I believe that more of a Small Block 8 type of tread is ideal for these Santa Monica Mountains trails. I was using Continental Race Kings and they worked fine for valleys but slipped on loose pebble climbs even with my weight shifted rearwards. I guess not many XC tires would do well on those climbs though, so choose your mixture.

Hi, welcome to the area from a Moorpark rider. There are some great routes through the Simi hills if you want to connect the Cheeseboro loop to other towns. I've ridden and hiked from Simi to West Hills, and Agoura to Simi. Lots of wildlife too.

As for tires, I had agressive mud tires on my bike when I moved here from the Midwest but quickly realized that they were overkill and offered far too much rolling resistance for the long climbs. I believe that more of a Small Block 8 type of tread is ideal for these Santa Monica Mountains trails. I was using Continental Race Kings and they worked fine for valleys but slipped on loose pebble climbs even with my weight shifted rearwards. I guess not many XC tires would do well on those climbs though, so choose your mixture.

I definitely have a lot of exploring to do...but I'll have to check out those areas as well. I'm definitely looking for some easier routes right now...need to work on building endurance before becoming a master at these technical trails.

As far as tires, I'm thinking an all terrain type would be best for now...until I really start pushing myself. What are you currently using?

Honestly, the best bang for you buck and a great all 'rounder is the Kenda Nevegal. Yes, it's heavy. Yes, it's slow. But it has a great tread pattern, wears incredibly well, is relatively cheap (under $40 usually - check Wheel World), and you will not notice the "slow" or "heavy" aspect of them (until your skills improve). Trust me.

The Nevegal is great, and widely available, but I think the Rampage is a superior tire. It's lighter, with an identical tread pattern, and is usually a tad bit cheaper. Ran a Rampage for a long time before going Nobby Nic.

Of course, tires, like all things bike, are a matter of preference. YMMV.

Hi, welcome to the area from a Moorpark rider. There are some great routes through the Simi hills if you want to connect the Cheeseboro loop to other towns. I've ridden and hiked from Simi to West Hills, and Agoura to Simi. Lots of wildlife too.

As for tires, I had agressive mud tires on my bike when I moved here from the Midwest but quickly realized that they were overkill and offered far too much rolling resistance for the long climbs. I believe that more of a Small Block 8 type of tread is ideal for these Santa Monica Mountains trails. I was using Continental Race Kings and they worked fine for valleys but slipped on loose pebble climbs even with my weight shifted rearwards. I guess not many XC tires would do well on those climbs though, so choose your mixture.

I work in Moorpark and am looking to start riding after work. Care to roll together?

Well right now I'm recovering from one hip surgery and getting pre-strengthened for the next hip fix, so I'm not using any tires on the trails. What I intend to use as I get clearance to resume singletrack riding are WTB WeirWolfs or Mythos XC. Maybe Small Block 8 wire beads. I just refuse to pay $40 for a single bicycle tire.